Players thrilled by sendoff from fans

Credit: Patrick Whittemore

Bruins fans gave their team a proper sendoff yesterday on its way to Chicago.

Just outside the Garden, in the player parking lot along Causeway Street, fans lined up behind barriers surrounding two yellow buses. Dressed in Bruins gear, they held signs with messages such as “Let’s go Bruins” and “Beat the ’Hawks.”

As the B’s filed out of the arena, the cheers grew louder overshadowing the music in the background. Some fans waved yellow towels and others jockeyed for autographs.

Tuukka Rask was the first player out as fans from all over came to wish the Bruins good luck in tonight’s Game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals against the Blackhawks at Chicago’s United Center.

“It’s great,” Rask said. “We’ve got great fans here in Boston. They’ve done this many times and a lot of people show up all the time, so it’s really good to see.”

This is the second fan-fest team sendoff for the Bruins. The first time was last week before the Bruins flew to Chicago for Game 1. Rachel Iacomini of Somerville went to both sendoffs because, she said, events like these make fans feel like they’re a part of the team.

“I went to the other one and you can tell that they’re a very grateful team,” Iacomini said. “They’re happy to see the fans. They really try and give everyone a high-five. It’s nice to like feel like you’re a part of it.”

Chris and Amanda Atkins, along with their 2-year-old son, Peyton, came from Kansas City, Mo., to wish the Bruins well.

“I have family in Mass., so we made sure we booked the vacation this year around the Stanley Cup playoffs,” Chris Atkins said. “It’s just a good experience. With everything the city’s gone through and to see the turnout you get with numbers like this, it’s good. It lets you know it’s still alive, still strong and still kicking.”

Players shook hands and signed autographs before boarding their buses.

“It’s nice to see that we have a lot of fan support here,” defenseman Johnny Boychuk said. “It just gives us a little extra boost.”